lines of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"lines of inquiry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the different directions or paths that a person or group can take in researching or investigating a topic or issue. Example: The committee discussed several lines of inquiry to explore in their investigation of the company's financial practices.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Were new lines of inquiry in the offing?

The Guardian

Two other lines of inquiry remain open.

Independent

From there, two lines of inquiry began.

The New York Times - Sports

"Well, there are lines of inquiry.

The Guardian

One said: "We have exhausted all police lines of inquiry and scientific lines of inquiry.

The Guardian

These two lines of inquiry are only beginning to meet.

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Two other lines of inquiry remained open, he said.

Independent

Yet that simple yardstick begs further lines of inquiry.

The Guardian - Sport

It also suggests further lines of inquiry for the physical model.

Journal of Computational Physics

Obviously, as we think, in all this the lines of inquiry were too narrowly pursued.

Cornell University

Ultimately, Media Cloud will provide open APIs that can support a variety of lines of inquiry.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lines of inquiry", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether you are referring to ongoing investigations, potential avenues for exploration, or closed cases where all leads have been exhausted.

Common error

Avoid using "lines of questioning" when you mean "lines of inquiry". The latter refers to the overall scope and direction of an investigation, while the former is limited to the specific questions asked during an interview or interrogation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lines of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes the various avenues or directions that an investigation or research effort might take. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

34%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lines of inquiry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that refers to the different directions or paths taken during an investigation or research effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news articles, scientific publications, and academic papers. The phrase serves to categorize and structure complex investigations, helping to guide efforts efficiently. When using "lines of inquiry", it's essential to ensure that the context clearly indicates the nature and scope of the investigation. Alternatives such as "areas of investigation" and "avenues for research" can be used to add variety and specificity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

areas of investigation

This alternative emphasizes the specific fields or scopes being examined.

avenues for research

This alternative focuses on the paths or methods used in conducting research.

investigative approaches

This alternative highlights the strategies and techniques employed during an investigation.

research directions

This alternative is geared towards academic research, emphasizing future paths.

routes of exploration

This alternative emphasizes the process of discovering and learning about a subject.

possible angles

Suggests different viewpoints or perspectives from which a problem can be examined.

potential leads

This alternative focuses on clues or information that may guide an investigation.

probing questions

This alternative emphasizes the use of in-depth questioning to uncover information.

exploratory paths

This alternative is suitable when the focus is on initial investigation with no predefined goals.

investigative tracks

Implies following trails of evidence and information to solve a mystery or understand a situation.

FAQs

How to use "lines of inquiry" in a sentence?

You can use "lines of inquiry" to describe the different approaches or directions taken during an investigation, such as: "The police are pursuing several "potential leads" as "investigative approaches" in the case".

What can I say instead of "lines of inquiry"?

You can use alternatives like "areas of investigation", "avenues for research", or ""investigative approaches"" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lines of inquiry" or "lines of enquiry"?

"Lines of inquiry" is the more common spelling in American English, while "lines of enquiry" is more common in British English. Both are grammatically correct, but consistency with the intended audience is important.

What's the difference between "lines of inquiry" and "lines of questioning"?

"Lines of inquiry" refers to the overall scope and direction of an investigation, while "lines of questioning" refers specifically to the questions asked during an interview or interrogation. The former is broader in scope than the latter.